A New Look for Company Facebook Pages

For those of you who missed it, last week’s Lunch & Learn we talked about Facebook Company Pages. Presenter, Dave Meyer from BizzyWeb, informed us that Facebook started rolling out its Timeline update for Pages on February 29, 2012. Facebook says the new design gives “brands and businesses more ways to tell their story,” and that all brands and businesses will have access to the new feature by the end of March 2012. This is a mandatory update. Compared to the current Facebook brand page (which only allows the profile picture and five thumbnails to be customized, hiding photo albums and tagged photos beneath the Wall), Timeline unlocks new possibilities for branding, raising awareness and creativity.

SO, what does this mean for your business?

Basically it’s a visual difference in how Facebook looks to those who visit your page. Timeline gives you an opportunity to be as creative as you want. Because it organizes posts, photos and information in chronological order, it now provides you with more tools to help tell your organization’s/brand’s story.

If your company has a Facebook page, you’ll want to switch your current profile picture to fit the new profile picture space, and add a new “cover” picture to their page. You’re not allowed to include calls to action or contact information in the image, so you’ll need to think carefully about this. Think about how you can capture the essence of your company or how you can incorporate some personality for your page. Keep in mind if you don’t make this change, or if you choose not to do anything, your images may not look right once your account rolls over to the new design at the end of the month.

The New Facebook Facts for Company Pages

As the clock ticks down to March 30th, your time is limited to ensure your Facebook page presents well in the new Timeline format. Another MAJOR CHANGE is the elimination of the custom “Welcome” landing page. Previously, you were able to specify which landing page to whatever tab you liked. With the new Timeline feature, you no longer have a choice. The Timeline will be your default landing page. Custom tabs will still be an option, however, you will no longer have the ability to design and select your own landing page.

Here is what you need to know to change your page:

Cover Photo: This should be 851 x 315 pixels (width x height

Profile Image: This should be 180 pixels square

Apps: To move them around, click the down arrow to the right of the apps, then click the pencil icon and Custom icons are 111 x 74 pixels – add them in your app’s actual settings (under “Admin Panel”, “Edit Page”, “Manage”, “Apps”)

Highlight a Post: Hover over the top right of the post, click the star icon

Pin a Post: Hover over the top right of the post, click the pencil icon and select “Pin to Top”

Add a Milestone: At the top, where you would add a post, instead click “Milestone”

Use the time between now and March 30th to perfect your new look while you can do this behind the scenes. On the 30th of March, 2012 your page will convert and go live for the world to see. Make sure that you are telling the story you want people to hear!